Topic 2 - The Decline of Republicanism - 1917-1933 Flashcards
What were impacts of the Great Depression ?
- a severe economic downturn that started with the economic in October 1929. By 1933 about 25% of Americans were unemployed resulting in the loss of homes and savings forcing people to turn to breadlines and soup kitchens.
What steps did Hoover take to combat the Great Depression and what impact did they have on Republican popularity?
Reconstruction Finance Corporation (1932) - lent money to banks , railroads and other businesses to stimulate economic growth. Unfortunately for Hoover , the RCF was cortisone’s for not providing enough direct relief to the people who needed it the most.
The Agricultural Marketing Act (1929) -this act supported farmers by creating the Federal Farm Board which bought surplus crops to stabilises prices, despite this agricultural prices continued to fall worsening life for the farmers.
Public Works Program- Hoover authorised large public work projects like the Hoover Dam to create jobs sand stimulate the economy , However these projects took time to implement and didn’t provide immediate relief as well as not addressing the widespread unemployment and suffering.
Overall these steps while presented to help the economy didn’t work immediately or provide immediate relief like jobs , decreasing Republican popularity as they were seen as uncaring towards the masses affected but the Depression.
How did Hoovers’s Response or moreover his lack of response affect his public image?
As the Depression deepened , makeshift shantytowns popped up around the country, inhabited by families who had lost their homes due to foreclosures. They were named ‘Hoovervilles’ as a symbol of the publics’s frustrations and anger towards Hoover’s perceived inaction and failure to provide sufficient relief.
People also began to display their empty pockets and used newspapers as blanket, named ‘Hoover flags’ and ‘Hoover blankets’ for their mocking the presidents inability to resolve the economic crisis.
Who were the Bonus Army , why were their concerns and what did they do about it ?
The Bonus Army formed in 1932 , was made up of 43,000 people including 17,000 veterans and their families. They were unhappy that ,The Adjusted Compensation Act of 1934 which awarded World War 1 veterans bonuses in certificates they could redeem for financial aid, could not be redeemed until 1945 when the money was needed more during the time of the Depression. This resulted in the Bonus Army matching to Washington DC and setting up camps in peaceful political protest as symbol of widespread economic distress and the government’s failure to provide adequate support.
What was the Government/ Republican response to The Bonus Army and how did this affect their popularity?
On June 17 1932 , the Senete rejected a bill for immediate bonus payment much rot eh dismay of the Bonus Army protesters. 1 month and 11 days later Hoover ordered the U.S Army to disperse the Bonus Army. This involved an attack using tears gas , bayonets and tanks , which injured many veterans and other protesters. This violent rebuttal resulted in the spreading of images of the incident which permanently ruined Hoovers reputation as welling as decreasing Republican popularity due to a lack of trust.
How did the Great Depression increase Democratic popularity?
Public dissatisfaction with the Republicans grew allowing the Democrats to make their presence known to the public. In the 1930 midterm elections, the Democrats made significant gains in Congress winning control of the House of Representatives, indicating a growing desire for change among the electorate.
Who was the Democrat President following Hoover and when was he President ?
Franklin.D.Roosevelt -1933-1945 (the longest running president in US history)
